PTI decides to 'peacefully' protest instead of rallying in Rawalpindi

PTI decided to call off rally in Rawalpindi, citing restrictions from the local administration and courts.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly withdrawn its application for holding a rally in Rawalpindi, shifting the event to a protest scheduled for September 28. The decision was made following directives from Imran Khan,

PTI had filed the request with the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench, which has now been withdrawn on Imran Khan’s instructions, a local media outlet cited PTI leadership.

This development comes after the party cancelled the rally planned for September 28, citing restrictions from the local administration and courts.

Imran Khan announced the cancellation of the rally, stating that PTI would instead hold a protest on September 28 in Rawalpindi.

He explained that the decision to withdraw the rally application was made as the authorities were unlikely to grant permission for the event.

Imran Khan further stated that despite the refusal of permission, the public would still take to the streets for the protest, which is now scheduled for Saturday.

Meanwhile, police have conducted raids on the homes of local PTI leaders in Rawalpindi in anticipation of the upcoming protest. Those targeted include Shehryar Riaz, Raja Basharat, Atif Riaz, and Rashid Hafeez. However, the police reported that none of the leaders were present at the time of the raids, and no arrests were made.

The protest is expected to proceed as planned on September 28.

Yesterday, Imran Khan announced a protest in Rawalpindi on Saturday, rejecting the need for official permission to hold a rally. “Our lawyers will also protest outside the Supreme Court tomorrow.

It has been proven that [Chief Justice] Qazi Faez Isa is with them. He is one of their players, alongside Sikandar Sultan Raja, while the third umpire is their captain, controlling everything.”

Imran Khan, had directed his party’s leadership to abandon all attempts at negotiating with the establishment, asserting that such talks only strengthen their adversaries.